Message from Msgr. Callahan – March 19, 2020
Dear Parishioners,
As you know we are live streaming Masses Monday-Friday at 8 a.m. and Saturday at 5:00 p.m. As you may know, you can watch our Masses anytime of the day.
The priests are still hearing confessions. Our confessional screens have been fitted with extra fiber and plastic. All confessions are to be behind the screen. I am allowing funerals and weddings at this time. But attendance is restricted to family members only and no more than 50 people present.
An unfortunate consequence of the coronavirus is that our revenues have dropped significantly. Some of you are on Faith Direct and we will still receive revenue from that source. Since Masses are not being held in the church and there is no collection, I strongly encourage everyone to either sign up for Faith Direct or mail your contributions to the parish.
Sign up for Faith Direct | Go to our Faith Direct page at membership.faithdirect.net/MO184
I want you to know that I have already implemented some significant cost savings practices in the parish. Please remember that we have almost 200 employees in the parish and these people are expecting their pay checks.
Some of our part time employees, such as our teacher aids and after care personnel will not be receiving a salary. We still have numerous bills, such as heating, electricity, water, etc. We have lowered the heating of all buildings on the parish campus. I believe we are being good stewards of our resources during this pandemic.
Both parish office and maintenance hours have been cut in half. The parish office is open from 8 a.m. to 12 noon Monday through Friday starting next week.
Today we celebrate the feast of our patron, St. Joseph. As you know, St. Joseph protected the Holy Family. Let us pray to St. Joseph that he will not only protect our parish but the whole world during the coronavirus pandemic.
Let us pray for each other, practice good hygiene and social distancing of at least three feet from each other.
Msgr. Callahan